Harry Roberts, Police Killer, to Be Released After 45 Years in Prison

Harry Roberts, Britain's most notorious police killer, will be released in the spring after serving more than 45 years behind bars.

The 78-year-old was imprisoned for life for murdering three unarmed officers in Shepherd's Bush, London, in 1966, according to Agence France-Presse.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Head, 30, Detective Constable David Wombwell, 25, and PC Geoffrey Fox, 41, died on August 12, 1966, after Roberts and one of his two companions opened fire following an armed robbery.

The plain-clothed officers were shot dead as they pulled over a van carrying Roberts and the two men near Wormwood Scrubs prison in west London.

The judge labeled it as "the most heinous crime for a generation or more" and Roberts was given a minimum 30-year prison sentence. The expectation was that he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.

He is expected to leave Littlehey Prison in Cambridgeshire within days after the parole board approved the release.

But the reported decision has sparked anger from police officers.

Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "I am appalled to learn that police killer Harry Roberts is being released from prison. Let's not forget, this menace murdered three unarmed police officers in cold blood and it is abhorrent news."

"This decision by the parole board is a slap in the face for the families of the three police officers he brutally murdered who, once again, are forced to re-live their pain and loss. It will spark fury among everyone in the police family who will feel badly let down."

A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesman said it did not comment on individual cases.

"The release of life sentence prisoners is directed by the independent parole board once they are satisfied they can be safely managed in the community," he said.

"Once released, they are subject to strict controls for as long as their risk requires them. If they fail to comply with these conditions, they can be immediately returned to prison," he added.